Massive explosion kills 13 in Damascus

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Syrian people gather at the site of a huge blast in the Marjeh district of Damascus on 30 April 2013. (Photo: AFP / SANA / HO)

Published Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Updated 12:57pm: A massive blast rocked the central Damascus district of Marjeh on Tuesday killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 70, Syrian state television said.

"Terrorist explosion in Marjeh district of Damascus and preliminary information on casualties," state television reported.

State TV footage showed dozens of badly damaged vehicles. Some had caught fire and others had shattered windows.

A thick plume of smoke rose from site of the explosion as emergency crews and volunteers scrambled to help the victims.

The explosion came near an interior ministry building.

It came a day after the blast in the Mazzeh neighborhood of the capital targeting Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi.

Damascus has seen a wave of major bombings in recent weeks, including on April 9, when a massive blast in the centre of the city killed at least 15 people.